Neurologists say that if they can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours they can totally reverse the effects of a stroke. The trick is recognizing stroke symptoms, diagnosing and then administering proper medical treatment within that 3-hour period. Speed is everything.

Someone came up with a potent 3-step process that can make all the difference. Since the symptoms of a stroke can be difficult to identify, awareness of the 3-step process can possibly avert brain damage and even death. Remember the acronym S.T.R.

S - stands for SMILE … ask the individual to smile.

T - stands for TALK … and to speak a simple sentence coherently. “It’s sunny out today” as an example.

R - stands for RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If the individual has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the signs of the stroke to the dispatcher. A new sign of a stroke … STICK OUT YOUR TONGUE. Ask the individual to stick out their tongue and if it’s crooked, goes to one side or the other, that is also a sign of a stroke.

As a home care professional in the Denver area, we have helped folks suffering from the effects of a stroke and it’s challenging, not to mention the suffering these folks endure. Quick action can help to maintain a better quality of life (and possibly prevent death) for someone prone to strokes … raise your awareness and be prepared to help someone exhibiting these warning signs.

Click on this link for more information regarding strokes and elderly care for the Denver Metro area.

Tom Barton

Owner, Barton Home Care

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 at 10:49 am and is filed under Illnesses. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.